Receiver Jeudy sparks Alabama’s victory over Michigan in Citrus Bowl
Michigan’s offense employed a methodical approach, slowly plodding down the field in an attempt to control the clock and pace of play.
Alabama’s approach? Let Mac Jones sling the ball downfield and let its superior talent at receiver dominate the day.
Crimson Tide receiver Jerry Jeudy made sure Alabama’s strategy prevailed. The junior, who is expected to declare himself eligible for April’s NFL Draft and be taken among the first 10 selections, finished with six catches for 206 and a touchdown to lead the 13th-ranked Crimson Tide to a 35-16 victory Wednesday afternoon in the Vrbo Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium.
“For Jerry to go out there, play the way he did, be the MVP of the game and have over 200 yards, certainly he used this opportunity to showcase his ability and probably even enhance his opportunities at the next level,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said.
Jeudy set the tone on Alabama’s first play from scrimmage. Jeudy, a graduate of Deerfield Beach High, came open across the middle and caught a long strike from Jones in stride and raced 85 yards for the score. Jones, who finished the season in the long shadow of injured quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, finished with 327 yards and three touchdowns. Tagovailoa, who was expected to be the first overall pick of the draft, dislocated his right hip in November and has yet to announce his plans for next year.
“That’s a decision that I think his family needs to make,” Saban said. “I’m sure when they make that decision, they’ll let everybody know. I think it’s our responsibility and our job to make sure that we give them all the information on a NFL standpoint, a medical standpoint, a rehab standpoint. If there is any way he can possibly be devalued because of his injury, what are the consequences of that, how does that effect his decision and what he does in the future.”
After 13 consecutive points from Michigan – a 7-yard touchdown pass from Shea Patterson to Nick Eubanks and a pair of field goals from Quinn Nordin, Jeudy keyed Alabama’s go-ahead drive. Jeudy snared a pair of first-down receptions – for 9 and 17 yards. The drive was capped on a 9-yard run by Najee Harris, who hurdled Josh Metellus at the goal line en route to the score.
Nordin booted a school- and bowl-record 57-yard field goal as time expired to give the 14th-ranked Wolverines a 16-14 halftime lead, but Jones threw a pair of second-half touchdowns to seal the game for Alabama (11-2).
After keeping it close the first half, Michigan (9-4) just couldn’t keep the Crimson Tide’s receivers in check in the second half. Jones, a redshirt sophomore, hit DeVonta Smith for a 42-yard score in the third quarter and tight end Miller Forristall for a 20-yard touchdown in the fourth. The Forristall touchdown was set up by a 58-yard reception from Jeudy. Harris added a late 2-yard touchdown run for the final score.
“Their ability to create the big play was critical in the game,” Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said.